Meralco forces do-or-die game with win over Barangay Ginebra

Meralco coach Luigi Trillo cited reasons for his team's loss in Game 1 but remained optimistic about Meralco showing improved performance.

On Friday, February 7, Meralco forced a do-or-die game by defeating Barangay Ginebra with a score of 108-104 in Game 2 of their best-of-three series in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 24 points and five assists, while Cliff Hodge contributed 17 points and Jansen Rios came off the bench to score a crucial 15 points.

Despite Justin Brownlee’s 36-point outing for Barangay Ginebra, Meralco managed to secure the victory in a late-game comeback as RJ Abarrientos missed a potential game-tying four-pointer.

Game 3 is set for Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, where Meralco will look to advance to the semifinals against NorthPort after breaking a 2-2 deadlock in series deciders.

Brownlee emphasized that Barangay Ginebra needs to figure out how to stop Meralco's rhythm and strategy as they prepare for the decisive Game 3.